How neighborhood stress and air pollution shape DNA and aging
DNA methylation in context: Population patterns in social adversity and sensitivity to the health impact of air pollution
This project looks at whether neighborhood hardship and air pollution change DNA markers tied to aging and health in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11380213 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses data from older adults to connect neighborhood social conditions and air pollution levels with DNA methylation, which are chemical tags on the genome that can reflect exposures and aging. Researchers will combine neighborhood measures (such as social adversity and local resources) with air pollution data and blood-based DNA methylation profiles across diverse racial groups. They will examine links between these combined exposures and chronic diseases as well as cognitive decline. Population-level statistical analyses will be used to identify cumulative or synergistic effects of social and environmental stressors across neighborhoods.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older adults from diverse racial and neighborhood backgrounds, especially those living in areas with higher air pollution or social adversity.
Not a fit: People who are young, live in areas with low pollution and low social stress, or whose health is unrelated to aging-related chronic disease may not see direct benefits from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help explain why some communities age less healthily and point to policies or interventions to reduce pollution-related harms where social adversity increases vulnerability.
How similar studies have performed: Prior studies have separately tied pollution and social adversity to DNA methylation and aging, but combining these exposures to test for synergistic effects is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hicken, Margaret Takako — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Hicken, Margaret Takako
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.